It’s the 17th of September. So far no book sales in this month. I’m working on my next novel. Plus I’m doing advanced work on a non-fiction book aggregating and publishing some works from the 1820s. Ideas for my next two short stories are beginning to filter through. I may be able to start work on at least one of them soon.
So why does writing and publishing seem so hopeless right now, like I’m wasting my time?
Lack of sales is the main reason. The work is another. This past weekend I wrote 6,800 words on my new novel. That was very satisfying, but also tiring. I did my walks on all days, but had very little time to do things needed, even taking out the garbage, doing typical weekend yard work, or any of a half-dozen other things.
All of this for zero sales. And 5 sales in August, 9 in July, and 52 so far for all of 2013. That’s lower than 2012, with more titles for sale. It’s at this point I ask myself why I’m bothering.
Yet, except for the work, I’m still in, even with the lack of sales. I wonder why. It’s probably irrational behavior I should see a shrink for.
Tomorrow at work I’ll take time for that long-range project, also for creating the better quality figures for my professional essay I’m planning to publish ASAP. I’ll keep plugging away, as irrational as it may be.
Let me give you a different perspective and try to work a new framework for you. You are an unknown writer with sales. An unknown writer with no grand-scale marketing strategies and you have sales. An unknown writer, writing for a relatively short period, and you have sales. Do you see this now. In light of theses lenses, your sales are good. Once you become better known, you books will sell more. Once, you’ve increased marketing strategies, you will sell more books.